Comfortable and energy efficient educational spaces. Strategies, methods and building components for energy retrofit in different climate zones.

Europe is characterised by old and energy inefficient school buildings that show several technical problems. Furthermore, in the last years, many scientific studies have highlighted how the innovative technological solutions used for reducing energy consumptions are not able to increase the internal thermo-hydrometrical quality, in particular in the intermediate and summer seasons. In addition, issues relating to the environmental comfort of outdoor spaces are very often ignored. Accordingly, this research aims to propose an innovative methodology of renovation to increase indoor and outdoor comfort of school buildings located in different climate zones. The innovative features of the proposed approach are: 1) Taking into account not only indoor but also outdoor spaces; 2) developing a repeatable and effective retrofit strategy and constructive solution for the schoolyards and building envelopes able to guarantee an excellent environmental comfort level in the schoolyards as well as in classrooms also in the warm months. The proposed retrofit methodology has been tested in two school buildings built in the 60s and 70s, located in Italy (Lucca) and in Germany (Leipzig), both characterised by high energy consumptions and discomfort problems during the whole year. This paper presents and evaluates the results of this experimentation.